SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.

SAN JOSE — Holy Cross Catholic Church, a century old center of a beloved parish, where mass was still recited in the Italian language, burned down Sunday afternoon in a four-alarm fire.

“This was home, and now it”s gone,” said Catherine Ventimiglia, who attended the Italian mass that ended minutes before the fire broke out at around 2 p.m. “We are stunned. My legs are numb from this.”

San Jose Fire Department Capt. Mike Banelgort said the cause of the fire was not known, but it did spread rapidly through the second floor and then to the roof. More than 100 fire fighting personnel and were still struggling to control the blaze in the late afternoon. By then the roof had collapsed and two minarets had tumbled.

“It”s made of heavy timber, old construction methods and old dry wood,” Banelgort said. “It”s a beautiful building. It”s a tragedy to see it demolished.”

However, the fire had spared the rectory and a meeting hall.

Hundreds of local residents and parishioners–speaking in Italian, English or Spanish–at the corner of Jackson and North 13th streets watch their neighborhood and spiritual institution crumble before their eyes.

“I can”t believe I”m not going to see my church again,” said Debra Cancilla, who was baptized there in the 1950s. “You get to know people and where they sit every Sunday, for years and years. That”s not going to happen anymore.”

Holy Cross was founded in 1906 to serve working-class Italian immigrants settling in the Northside, one of San Jose”s oldest neighborhoods. The church gained special recognition five years later as an Italian National Parish.

The newcomers that followed the Italians over the decades remained largely Catholic and working class, but they came from Portugal, Texas, the Philippines and Mexico. The waves newcomers helped the church remain a Northside anchor.

As they gathered across the street at Backesto Park, parishioners wondered if a precious crucifix and been saved. Carved in wood in medieval style, the image of Jesus nailed to a cross stood above the altar for years when it suddenly disappeared, nobody was sure exactly when. But about seven years ago or so, it was discovered the badly deteriorating symbol of Catholicism in the garage of a local, old woman after her death.

Ventimiglia said she was on the committee that restored the crucifix and helped carry it to its rightful position at the altar in a huge celebratory mass.

“We practically built this church,” Ventimiglia said.

Cancilla hoped aloud that someone had saved the crucifix, or that the fire would have miraculously spared it.

“I think if God can give us a sign, that would be awesome,” she said.

At least one cherished item survived–a statue of St. Joseph. About three-feet tall, it stood on the sidewalk a short distance from the front steps, which looked more like a cascading waterfall. As ladder companies shot rivers through the roof, the water ran through the sanctuary and out the front doors.

Some people had heard that the pastor, Rev. Firmo Mantovani, carried the statue out in his arms. But the visibly shaken, Italian-American priest said it wasn”t him.

“When I saw the statue on the sidewalk I went to it,” he said. “I asked St. Joseph to save our church, but it was too late.”

Olivia Faulknor, a parishioner for 18 years, said she was determined to rebuild.